Take-apart bow



July 26, 1966 P. B. GRABLE 3,

TAKE-APART BOW Filed Sept, 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR P/l/LL/PB. 63/45 Fi .l. 57 5-3.-

BY m wfa ATTORNEYS July 26, 1966 P B. GRABLE 3,262,442

TAKE-APART BOW Filed Sept, 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,262,442 TAKE-APART BOW Phillip B. Grabie,Dimondale, Mich. (3632 Cooley Drive, Lansing, Mich. 48910) Filed Sept.20, 1965, Ser. No. 48%,365 6 Claims. (Cl. 124--24) This inventionrelates to a take-apart archery bow and more particularly to atake-apart bow having limb portions which can be selectively adjusted soas to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,Serial Number 244,474 for an Archcry Bow, filed December 13, 1962 nowPatent No. 3,207,146. As pointed out in my co-pending application, anarcher has heretofore had to use a different bow for each particulartype of shooting that he has planned to do. The need for a different bowhas been due to the fact that a specific draw weight is needed for eachtype of shooting, such as target shooting, hunting, long or shortdistance shooting and the like.

Inasmuch as the draw weight of a bow is a function of its configuration,the only way to vary selectively the draw weight of a single bow is tohave a bow which can, in eiiect, be adjusted so that its overallconfiguration is changed. In the bow disclosed and claimed in mycopending application, this is accomplished by providing a take-apartbow having pivotally connected limbs which can be selectively lockedinto desired pivotal positions within the draw plane of the bow so as toselectively vary the draw weight of the bow as desired. Take-apart bowsof the prior art had to use a plurality of limb sets of varyingconfigurations which could be interchanged on the central handle memberso as to achieve the variable draw weight goal. I

It is an object of this invention to provide a take-apart bow wherebythe draw weight thereof can be selectively varied without the use ofcomplicated pivotal connections and lock means intermediate the centralhandle portion and the limbs thereof. The concept involved inaccomplishing this was broadly disclosed in my co-pending application,Serial Number 244,474. It was stated therein that the angular adjustmentof the bow limbs in relation to the central handle member so as to varythe draw weight of the bow can be achieved by other means than by use ofpivotal connectors. It was further stated that to accomplish this, thebutt end of the limb can be adapted for simple attachment to the taperedend of a standard central handle member. The longitudinal axis of eachlimb in relation to the longitudinal axis of the handle can then 'bevaried as desired by selectively inserting wedge blocks of variousangular sizes between the side of the butt end of the limb and the sideof the end of the handle member.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a take-apartarchery bow whereby wedge block means can be selectively used inconjunction with one or both of the limb members so as toselectivelyvary the overall configuration of the 'bow and thus selectively vary thedraw weight of the bow as desired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a take-apartarchery bow whereby wedge block means can be selectively used toselectively vary the longitudinal axis of one or both of the limbs intheir operational use position in relation to the central handle portionso as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of my inventionwill be apparent from a consideration of the following specification inconnection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

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FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the take-apart bow illustrating thecentral handle portion having tapered end portions which are adapted toreceive the limb members thereagainst.

FIGURE 2 is a partial front elevational view of the take-apart bowillustrating this central handle portion and portions of the limbattached thereto.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation schematic view of the take-apart bowillustrating the use of wedge blocks to selectively vary the angularadjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relation to thecentral handle, thus selectively varying the draw weight of the bow. Thephantom lines adjacent the limbs illustrate representative positions towhich the limbs can be adjusted.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a representative wedge block.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of various sizes of representativewedge blocks that can be used to make corresponding adjustments in thelongitudinal axis of the limbs by use of such blocks intermediate thelimb and the handle member.

FIGURE 6 is a partial schematic side elevation View of anotherembodiment of the take-apart bow illustrating a central handle portionhaving a pivotally connected limb member and showing a representativewedge member in broken lines which can be inserted between the limbmember and the central handle member so as to achieve selective angularadjustment of the limb member in relation to the central handle member.

FIGURE 7 is a partial schematic side elevation view of anotherembodiment of the take-apart bow illustrating a central handle portionhaving a transversely slotted end portion which is configured to receivethe end of a limb member and one or more wedge members so as to achieveselective angular adjustment of the limb mounted therein.

FIGURE 8 is a partial schematic end view of the limb member which isutilized in the take-apart bow of FIG- URE 6.

General description In general a take-apart archery bow is providedhaving two limb members which are mounted at each end of a centralhandle member. The ends of the central handle portion are configured toreceive the substantially fiat end portions of the limbs thereagainst intheir operative use position. central handle portion are adapted toselectively receive wedge members therebetween so as to selectively varythe angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relationto the central handle portion, thus varying the draw weight of the bow.

Further, such changes can also be aifected by integrally forming thewedge elements on the limbs or on the end portions of the central handlemember as desired. Further, it is readily apparent that a wedge elementcan be used in connection with only one limb but still have the sameoverall effect of selectively varying the draw weight of the bow.

It is thus seen that a take-apart bow is provided which is simple andeconomical to fabricate and which has great versatility in use.

The preferred embodiment of the take-apart bow illustrates limb membersthat do not fit into any type of socket or holding element but merelylie against the flat surface of the end portion of the central handlemember and is secured thereto by appropriate bolts. It is thus seen thata take-apart bow is provided which does not have socket members thereinwhich complicate the fabrication of the bow and which generally resultin misalignment due to frequent assembly and disassembly of the pivotalcomponents of such a take-apart bow.

As will be described hereinafter, the limbs and 3 Specific descriptionAs shown in the side elevation view of FIGURE 1, the take-apart bow 11consists of a central handle member 12, and limb members 13 and 14selectively attached to the ends of the central handle member 12. Thecentral handle member 12 is preferably fabricated from aluminum metaland is configured to provide an integrally formed grip portion 15 and asight window 16.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and throughout the drawings generally, thecentral handle member 12 has an elongate configuration and is providedwith end portions which are notched and tapered and which are adapted toreceive the ends of the limbs 13 and 14 thereagainst. Limb retaining pinholes 17, suitably threaded, are provided through the tapered endportions of the central handle member 12 so that threaded limb retainingpins 18 can be utilized to lockably retain a limb thereagainst. Suitablelimb retaining pin holes 19 are provided through the end portion of thelimbs in coaxial register with the limb retaining pin holes 17 providedin the central handle member when the limbs are in their operative useposition against the central handle member. The limb retaining pin holes17 permit the limb retaining pins 18 to pass freely therethrough.

As shown in FIGURE 3, wedge elements can be inserted between the end ofone or both of the limbs and the ends of the central handle portion soas to selectively vary the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relation tothe central handle member.

The wedge element, as shown in FIGURE 4, consists of a tape-redsubstantially flat element 20 which is provided with wedge block limbretaining pin holes 21 which are positioned so as to be in register withthe limb retaining pin holes 19 provided in the limbs and holes 17provided in the central handle member when the wedge 20 is in positionintermediate the limb and handle member. The wedge block holes 21 permitthe stern of the pin 18 to pass freely therethrough.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the wedge element can be of any desired thicknessand configuration so long as it can be introduced intermediate the limband handle portion so as to selective-1y vary the longitudinal axis ofthe limb in relation to the handle portion. As stated previously it iswithin the scope of the invention to use the wedge inserts inassociation with only one of the limbs instead of with both of the limbsas shown.

Other embodiments of this invention are shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. Whilethe take-apart bows shown in these figures are of different structuralconfigurations, the broad overall concept of utilizing wedge elements toachieve selective adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limbmembers in relation to the handle member remains the same.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the limb 22 is pivotally connected to the centralhandle member so that a wedge block insert (shown in phantom line) canbe inserted between the limbs and the handle member so as to selectivelyvary the longitudinal axis of the limb in relation to the central handlemember, thus varying the draw weight of the bow as desired. The otherend of the central handle member (not shown) can be provided withanother pivotally connected limb or with a limb which is attachable tothe central handle member in the manner shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. Theend view of FIGURE 8 illustrates the limb 22 as used in embodiment shownin FIGURE 6 and shows the arms 23 and 24 which are pivotally connectedto the end of the handle member inserted therebetween.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 7 illustrates a portionof the central handle member showing a transverse slot 25 provided inthe end of the central handle member. This transverse slot issubstantially wider than the thickness of the limb element which fitsthereinto. By use of wedge elements which are placed into the transverseslot with the end of the limb 4 intermediate thereof, the longitudinalaxis of the limb can be varied by varying the size and taper of theWedge elements. The arms 26 and 27 are provided with limb retaining pinholes 28, as shown.

The limbs 13 and 14 are of the same type that are shown and described inmy co-pending application Serial Number 244,474. They are fabricatedfrom wood, plastic and fiberglass laminated strips in a manner which iswell known in the art.' It is also understood that the wedge inserts orblocks 29 shown in FIGURES 5 and 7 are provided with retaining pin holeswhich are large enough to permit the retaining pins 18 to pass freelytherethrough.

Operation In use, the take-apart bow 11 is assembled as shown in FIGURESl, 2 and 3 and in the manner described heretofore. By selectivelyvarying the taper A (see FIGURE 4), the adjusting capability of thewedge inserts or blocks 20 can be selectively varied as desired. By useof different sizes of inserts, the longitudinal axis of one or both ofthe limbs can be selectively varied as desired in relation to thecentral handle member. It is self-evident that the longitudinal axis ofa limb can be varied as desired, either forward or rearward within thedraw plane of the bow, by changing the size and angle of taper of wedgeblock or insert which is inserted intermediate the limb and end portionof the central handle member. As shown in the schematic view of FIG- URE3, the take-apart bow can be disassembled by removing the retaining pins18, thus freeing the limbs and wedge elements from the ends of thecentral handle member. This same procedure can be followed when it isdesired to place a different wedge element between the limb and centralhandle member so as to vary the longitudinal axis of the limb or limbs,thus varying the draw weight of the bow. Thereafter, the retaining pinsare inserted through the retaining pin holes in the limbs and throughthe retaining pin holes in the wedge block into threaded hold downengagement in the retaining pin holes provided in the central handlemember. In this hold down position, the heads of the retaining pins bearagainst the outer surface of the limbs thereby holding the limbs tightlyagainst the wedge element and the end portion of the central handlemember.

It is apparent, from the drawings of the other embodiments of theinvention shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, that the method of operation isessentially the same in that the longitudinal axis of the limb isselectively varied in relation to the central handle member by use ofvarious sizes and combinations of wedge inserts or blocks, as shown.

It is thus seen that a highly versatile take-apart bow is provided whichcan be adapted for use in any type of archery activity by merelyselectively adjusting the limbs thereof by use of wedge inserts orblocks so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

It is further seen that a take-apart archery bow is provided which issimple, fast and economical to fabricate and yet achieves a variabledraw weight capability heretofore found only in complicated andexpensive bow structures.

Various other modifications of the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the principle thereof. Each of the modifications is to beconsidered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless theseclaims by their language expressly provide otherwise.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention I claim the following:

1. In an archery bow, the combination comprising:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached tothe ends thereof; and

(b) means for selective insertion intermediate said handle member andsaid limb members for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinalaxis of said limbs in their operative use position within the draw planeof the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 2. In atake-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached tothe ends thereof; and (b) wedge means for selective insertionintermediate said limb members and said central handle member forselective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said'limbs intheir operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as toselectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 3. In a take-apart archerybow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached tothe ends thereof; and (b) selectively tapered wedge means insertableintermediate said limb members and said central handle member forselective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limbs intheir operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as toselectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 4. In a take-apart archerybow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached tothe ends thereof; and (b) wedge means selectively insertableintermediate one of said limb members and said central handle member forselective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limb inits operative use position 10 angular adjustment of the longitudinalaxis of said limb in its operative use position within the draw plane ofthe bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 6. In atake-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central [handle member having at least one limb member which ispivotally connected to one end thereof; and

(b) wedge means selectively insertable intermediate said pivotallyconnected limb member and the end of said handle member for selectiveangular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limb in itsoperative use position within the draw plane of the how so as toselectively vary the draw weight of the how.

No references cited.

RICHARD C. PIINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN AN ARCHERY BOW, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) A CENTRAL HANDLEMEMBER HAVING LIMB MEMBERS SELECTIVELY ATTACHED TO THE ENDS THEREOF; AND(B) MEAN FOR SELECTIVE INSERTION INTERMEDIATE SAID HANDLE MEMBER ANDSAID LIMB MEMBERS FOR SELECTIVE ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT OF THE LONGITUDINALAXIS OF SAID LIMBS IN THEIR OPERATIVE USE POSITION WITHIN THE DRAW PLANEOF THE BOW SO AS TO SELECTIVELY VARY THE DRAW WEIGHT OF THE BOW.